Gilbert and Sullivan Society

Founded in 1946 and disbanding in 1991, the Barnard Gilbert and Sullivan Society offered students of Columbia and Barnard the opportunity to perform the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. This student-run group was self-financed through ticket sales, relying on a small stipend from the Barnard Student Activities budget. It produced two shows a year, generally in the Minor Latham Playhouse at Barnard.

Several people who later pursued careers in the arts performed with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society as students, including Jon "Bowzer" Bauman from Sha-Na-Na, Peter Falco (TV reporter), Evelyn Baron (actress in Big River and other Broadway shows), Michael Musto (writer, Village Voice), Adam Belanoff (writer, including many episodes of Murphy Brown and other works for TV and film), Jean-Louise Kelly (actress in Mr. Holland's Opus), and many others.

Barnard Gilbert and Sullivan was one of the largest student-run theater groups, mounting shows that required casts of about 30 students and orchestras of up to 30 musicians. The directors and conductors were also often students or faculty members. Performers included students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the community.